The Top 5 Cloud-Based Security Solutions in 2021

Cloud security solutions are fast becoming the go-to option for sprawling organizations and enterprises that require comprehensive multi-network coverage. This is because they support holistic mitigation configurations that cover all devices and files stored on a network, thereby allowing protection under a common framework.

That said, the following is an outline of some of the best cloud security solutions on the market.

Cisco Cloud Security is designed to cater to businesses that require reliable end-user security and has two primary security products - Cisco Umbrella and Cisco Cloudlock. Cisco Umbrella provides protection against recursive DNS attacks through a secure online gateway that is layered with a firewall.

The product also includes cloud access security broker (CASB) software that acts as a security mediator between the user and resources stored on the cloud. This allows for easy formulation of network security policies.

Cisco Umbrella also features software-defined wide-area networks (SD-WAN) for enhanced security and application performance in a network. The product additionally ensures fast detection of compromised systems by analyzing threats over all ports and incoming connections and blocking them before they reach the secured endpoints.

Cisco Umbrella also keeps gateway logs and flags malicious traffic. This is achieved using IPsec tunnels that provide virtualization capabilities and proxy-chaining to enforce security rules on incoming traffic.

Cisco’s other main product, Cisco Cloudlock, is designed to secure software as a service (SaaS) applications, emails, as well as infrastructure as a service (IaaS) sessions via User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA).

Sophos is a UK-based cybersecurity company that has been in the cybersecurity space for over 30 years. Its central service, Sophos Cloud Security, is programmed to undertake automated scans that pinpoint malicious activity and allows clients to implement network configurations across all nodes and devices on a network.

The service relies on a detection engine powered by AI that detects unusual activity on the network such as cryptojacking, brute-force intrusion attempts, and DDoS attacks, and applies preset mitigation measures.

Read More: Microsoft Declares Cryptojacking Its "Biggest Threat"

The Cloud Optix security system, one of the company’s most robust cloud products, leverages endpoint detection and response (EDR) and has workload visibility which allows users to get insights on Azure, AWS, and GCP cloud performance via API integration. Their unification saves time when trying to make security audits across numerous dynamic cloud environments.

Among the biggest strengths of Sophos Cloud Optix is that it can be connected to third-party applications via REST API. Some of the services that can be connected include Splunk, Azure Sentinel (SIEM), PagerDuty, Slack, and Microsoft Teams.

IBM is one of the biggest names in the computing sector. With over a century of experience in the industry, it has some of the most formidable cloud security systems.

Among its prime products is its X-Force Red Cloud Testing Service. The service is set up to test whole networks for unseen loopholes and vulnerabilities such as misconfigurations, insufficient permissions setups, and unpatched servers that make the network susceptible to compromises.

Today, major hacker groups have the tendency to target cloud administrative and developer accounts, which usually have unfettered administrative control. The system is designed to temper such ploys by testing all assets on the cloud, which include image containers, operating systems, developer tools, and installed applications.

The auxiliary service, IBM Cloud Identity, enhances cloud security through a multiplex approach that secures communications between users and the cloud enterprise platform.

It accomplishes this through user authentication and access control through policy assignment features. Users can be classified into groups with same-level access.

Fortinet has been in the online security industry for over two decades. Its main product portfolio includes FortiCASB-SaaS, which analyzes SaaS applications and activity, FortiCWP for cloud management and monitoring, and Fortinet Web Application Security, a service that leverages machine-learning to analyze applications for anomalies.

FortiCASB-SaaS allows users to observe all SaaS applications connected to the network through a centralized console. It provides organizations with the capacity to undertake uniform control of security policies in order to protect data against online threats.

The Fortinet Web Security product is also innovative. It leverages Fabric-Based Security to protect online platforms by harnessing point-security solutions that would otherwise not have worked together.

Through the use of open standards to combine different security applications and devices to make up one security system, the amalgamated system provides incredible reliability.

The main features of this product include a virtual firewall, a malware library engine, an update feature, as well as a sandbox.

The other main unique product is FortiWeb. It fights intrusions using a unique machine learning technique that deploys two detection frameworks. One uses statistical modeling to figure out the legitimacy of a HTTP request. Once a suspicious request is flagged, it is forwarded to the second FortiWeb engine, which analyses it for additional threat markers.

The ML model is pre-programmed to learn from each event to achieve almost 100 percent detection accuracy.

Forcepoint is an American-based cybersecurity firm that has over two decades of experience in the sector. Its main product options include Web Security Cloud, Cloud Access Security Broker, and Cloud Security Gateway.

Forcepoint Web Security Cloud enhances cloud security by pushing traffic through a proxy server that analyzes HTTP, FTP, and HTTPS traffic. It fosters a safe network environment by sending all traffic through the proxy server.

Say, for example, a user searches for information on the web via a browser; the information is not accessed directly. It is first relayed to the server, which then accesses the result and transmits it back. In this instance, the proxy server acts as a buffer that is used to enforce filtering rules. It undertakes content scanning and intercepts threats even before they reach the user.

The service has an SSL decryption option which triggers a closer inspection of the data packets. A blocking mechanism is triggered if flagged content is found. The content is re-encrypted by the time it reaches the end-user.

A root certificate installation is, however, required for this feature to work. Exceptions for a data scan can be made for certain users.

The company’s other main product, Cloud Access Security Broker, essentially allows easy management of the cloud systems through enhanced resource visibility. It also resolves security blindspots by maintaining application catalogs and tracking changes via app risk profiles.

Quick anomaly detection and a comprehensive real-time security analytics interface are among the product’s biggest strengths.

The third service, Forcepoint Cloud Security Gateway, upholds online security through mitigation features such as browser isolation, and a firewall. Zero-day threats are also thwarted through deep content inspection.

When choosing the right cloud security solution, you should consider several factors. The first is attack-surface coverage. A network with more robust mitigation features is typically more secure than that with limited options.

Visibility and real-time network tracking is also important to ensure that breaches are detected within a short time. Automated preset response configurations are usually an added benefit.

The other consideration, especially for fast-rising enterprises, is scaling options. Cloud security tools should be dynamic enough to enforce protection policies across a wide range of networks and handle workload spikes with ease.

Lastly, it is important to check for the service compliance accreditations. Reliable cloud providers have numerous accreditations related to data security. They include PCI 3.2, HIPAA, NIST 800-53, and GDPR.